7 Tips for Improving Your Credit

Getting the loan that suits your situation at the best possible price and terms makes homebuying easier and more affordable. Here are seven ways to boost your credit score so you can do just that.

1. Know your credit score

Credit scores range from 300 to 850, and the higher, the better. Theyre based on whether youve paid personal loans, car loans, credit cards, and other debt in full and on time in the past. Youll need a score of at least 620 to qualify for a home loan and 740 to get the best interest rates and terms.

Youre entitled to a free copy of your credit report annually from each of the major credit-reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Access all three versions of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. Review them to ensure the information is accurate.

2. Correct errors on your credit report

If you find mistakes on your credit report, write a letter to the credit-reporting agency explaining why you believe theres an error. Send documents that support your case, and ask that the error be corrected or removed. Also write to the company, or debt collector, that reported the incorrect information to dispute the information, and ask to be copied on any materials sent to credit-reporting agencies.

3. Pay every bill on time

You may be surprised at the damage even a few late payments will have on your credit score. The easiest way to make a big difference in your credit score without altering your spending habits is to diligently pay all your bills on time. Youll also save money because youll keep the money youve been spending on late fees. Credit card or mortgage companies probably wont report minor late payments, those less than 30 days overdue, but youll still have to pay late fees.

4. Use credit carefully

Another good way to boost your credit score is to pay your credit card bills in full every month. If you cant do that, pay as much over your required minimum payment as possible to begin whittling away the debt. Stop using your credit cards to keep your balances from increasing, and transfer balances from high-interest credit cards to lower-interest cards.

5. Take care with the length of your credit

Credit rating agencies also consider the length of your credit history. If youve had a credit card for a long time and managed it responsibly, that works in your favor. However, opening several new credit cards at once can lower the average age of your accounts, which pushes down your score. Likewise, closing credit card accounts lowers your available credit, so keep credit cards open even if youre not using them.

6. Dont use all the credit youre offered

Credit scores are also based on how much credit you use compared with how much youre offered. Using 1,000 of available credit will give you a lower score than having 1,000 of available credit and using 100 of it. Occasionally opening new lines of credit can boost your available credit, which also affects your score positively.

7. Be patient

It can take time for your credit score to climb once youve begun working to improve it. Keep at it because the more distance you put between your spotty payment history and your current good payment record, the less damage youll do to your credit score.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who keeps a close eye on her credit scores. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR(R) Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.